The Mask of Apollo

A Virago Modern Classic
Combining the scholarship of a historian with the imagination of a novelist, Mary Renault brings the ancient Greek stage thrillingly to life.

THE ANCIENT GREEK STAGE BROUGHT THRILLINGLY TO LIFE BY THE QUEEN OF HISTORICAL FICTION

'Mary Renault has made the classical era alive' GORE VIDAL

'Her books have stood the test of time' INDEPENDENT

The artist flows into the mask the poet offers him; only so will the god possess him.

Greece, fourth century BC. The golden age of theatre may be over, but Nikeratos still lives and breathes the stage. Finding work with a group of travelling actors, he discovers amongst their dusty props an old, discarded mask of Apollo.

When a violent attack threatens the company mid-performance, the actors must go on: once the show ends, they know their lives are at stake. Seized by inspiration, Niko dons the golden mask and feels the powerful words of Apollo coursing through him - spurring the defenders to victory.

But Greece is racked by political struggles, and as his fame grows Niko finds himself caught in the crossfire, a pawn in a game of tyrants. And all the while, the mask gains power - becoming his conscience, keeper of his secrets and, ultimately, the maker of his gravest choice.

'To Mary Renault, we are all Ancient Greeks, and that is the secret of her novels' brilliance' CHARLOTTE MENDELSON

'Renault has few peers in the art of reconstructing and making utterly convincing the people and places of classical times . a superbly controlled performance' NEW YORK TIMES

'An important and wonderful writer . she set a course into serious-minded, psychologically intense historical fiction that today seems more important than ever' GUARDIAN

Contributor: Charlotte Mendelson (Introduction by)

UK Delivery:

• Free delivery on all orders of £10 or more.
• £1.49 delivery fee on orders below £10.
• UK orders are shipped via Royal Mail 2nd Class.

International Delivery:

• Flat rate delivery charges vary by country.

Dispatch and Delivery Times:

• All orders are shipped from our warehouse in Northampton, UK within 48 hours of receipt during working hours.
• UK mainland orders typically arrive within 3-5 working days via Royal Mail 2nd Class.
• International estimated delivery times:
• Europe & Channel Islands: 7 to 10 working days
• USA: 7 to 15 working days
• Rest of the World: 9 to 21 working days

View our full delivery infomation here.